Minister Flanagan publishes European Arrest Warrant Annual Report for 2017

47 people were returned to Ireland in 2017 on foot of warrants
60 were returned by Ireland to other EU Member States

The Annual Report of the European Arrest Warrant Act, published today by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr Charlie Flanagan TD, reveals that Ireland issued 76 warrants to other EU member states during 2017. On foot of these warrants, a total of 47 people were returned here, bringing the total number of surrenders made to Ireland since 2004 to 478.

The report also shows that 357 European Arrest Warrants were received by Ireland during 2017. The warrants related to a variety of offences including murder, rape, drugs offences, assault and robbery. Over the course of the year, 73 warrants resulted in the surrender of 60 individuals by Ireland to other member states.

Announcing the figures, the Minister said:

“The European Arrest Warrant is a valuable mechanism that helps ensure that dangerous criminals can be apprehended, keeping EU citizens safer as a result. It provides for an enhanced extradition process within the European Union and I note that European arrest warrants received during 2017 cited a wide range of offences including murder/grievous bodily harm, sexual offences including rape and sexual abuse of children, drugs offences robbery/assault, fraud and human trafficking.”

While the report relates to operational matters concerning the European Arrest Warrant in 2017, the Minister also reflected on the potential impact of Brexit on the extradition process and added:

“The departure of the UK from the EU is particularly significant for Ireland on a wide range of issues. However, in the context of combating crime and terrorism, the necessity to maintain a functioning system of extradition between the two States has been identified as the key priority. I have requested my officials in the Department of Justice and Equality to examine the implications of Brexit for extradition between the two States and to consider the options available to address the various possible outcomes to the Brexit negotiations.”

Read the report below:

Minister Flanagan publishes European Arrest Warrant Annual Report for 2017

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